Book review: Menopause For Dummies
I am a big fan of the For Dummies books. To date, however, the books I have purchased have been technical. Like HTML For Dummies, and Digital Photography For Dummies. So, I wasn’t sure how useful I would find a heath related one. I shouldn’t have worried; Menopause For Dummies (by authors Marcia L. Jones, Theresa Eichenwald, Nancy W. Hall) did not disappoint.
Right off the bat, I learned that I did not even know what menopause really meant. I thought it was the entire stage after ceasing to have your periods. Wrong. You don’t actually know you’re in menopause until you are out of it, because it refers to the one year absence of a period. After that, you are in postmenopause. However, it is common to refer to all stages — perimenopause, menopause, postmenopause — as your menopausal years.
Having cleared that up by page 5, I was ready for the rest of the book.
How is the book organized?
There are six parts to the book:
- The Main Facts about Menopause – an outline of the menopausal years;
- The Effects of Menopause on Your Body and Mind – physical, mental, and emotional symptoms;
- Treating the Effects – information on hormone therapy, as well as non-hormonal treatments;
- Lifestyle Issues for Menopause and Beyond – getting and staying fit;
- The Part of Tens – a For Dummies standard of top ten quick hit topics;
- The Appendixes – comprehensive list of terms and definitions.
Is the book dry and boring to read?
No, after all, it is written for Dummies. In other words, it is all in laymen terms. And medical terms are well explained, either in the body of the book, or off in a sidebar. And, I found the style conversational, with quite a bit of humour thrown in. Like the following test for figuring out how irritable, anxious, or apprehensive you are:
- Nah, I’m my usual charming self.
- Irritable? Anxious? Why? Do I seem anxious to you? No, really, tell me!
- I’m mostly okay, but telephone company ads make me cry.
- WHY?! WHAT MAKES YOU ASK? NONE OF YOUR DARN BUSINESS!
And there are little icons down the left hand margin for highlighting certain points:
- A target and arrow – Tip icon for practical information on how to take care of yourself;
- Pill bottles – Medicalese icon to explain medical terms and jargon;
- Finger with string – Remember icon for information to pay attention to;
- Little scientist dude – See An Expert icon for information that should be discussed with an expert in that field;
- Little geekie dude – The Technical Stuff icon for the really boring technical material;
- Bomb – Warning icon to point out potential threats to your health.
Is the book biased towards either hormone therapy or natural treatments?
Actually, the authors bend over backwards to be non-biased. They make it clear that the choice is yours. The book provides excellent information on the benefits and health risks of both hormone therapy and other treatments, such as herbal supplements. They also stress the importance of working closely with health care professionals, and asking for second opinions.
From all the media attention given to the Women’s Health Initiative study, I was under the impression that hormone therapy was extremely unsafe. This is not necessarily the case, based on the individual’s personal risk factors. And, I thought that natural supplements were all good. Again, not necessarily the case, because some mimic estrogen too well, and can promote unsafe cell growth. I found the information of both methods to be very equally balanced between pros and cons.
Do you have to read the book cover to cover?
No, I did because I was reviewing the book. However, Menopause For Dummies is designed to be used as a reference book. You can flip to any section of interest, and get all the information you need on that specific topic. And the range of topics is quite extensive, covering:
- biology and psychology of menopause;
- bones;
- heart;
- vaginal and urinary changes;
- skin and hair;
- sex life;
- mental and emotional issues;
- hormone therapy;
- diet;
- fitness.
I found this book gave me a good grounding on the changes I will, and potentially could, experience as I go through perimenopause and menopause. It gave me enough to know what I want to research in more depth, and the questions to ask to my doctor on my next visit. I recommend this book if you, like me, are fairly new to this stage of life and want a heads up on what to expect.
I am sure Menopause For Dummies will quickly become one of my well used reference books.
Silver & Grace Approved Books
Menopause For Dummies has the Silver & Grace Seal of Approval as an excellent resource for women. It is available through Amazon: Menopause for Dummies
For more Silver & Grace approved books check out Eliza’s Recommendations.
Eliza,
I love the Dummies books and refer to my Vista one all the time – still! This sounds like fun. When I went into menopause problems was after my ovarian cancer and there was nil on the subject and being without information made me very cranky. No one could stop the sweats – I did not have hot flashes – drownings would fit a better description. I really had to give up working in public and at least three times a week we got up and change the bedding in the middle of the night. Finally Dr. Christianne Northrup went through menopause and wrote her landmark book – 11 years I really suffered…
Information can make the process such a much more livable experience. One direction I was given was to stop exercising to increase the healing – that was not worth it at all – ugly advice.
Great post and review – Thank you
Patricia’s last blog post..Creative, Creativ, Kreativ
@Patricia – interestingly, I just ordered Dr. Northrup’s book to review. Stop exercising?!!! What sort of insane advice is that? Sometimes I shake my head at the medical profession. Hopefully the advice given is far more current now.
Thanks Eliza,
DIdn’t even know that book existed. I find it to be great how much more open we all are about this topic. I remember being a teen just embarking on this “wonderful” adventure of womanhood, and hearing about women getting all depressed and ready to throw themselves under the bus because they were entering the dreadful menapause.
I was like..”really? Periods are going to end? For real? Sign me up NOW!”
Have to admit, I still kind of feel that way.It’s one of those things I’ve never lost a drop of sleep over…(well figurativly…cause of course I DO loose sleep over the darn thing…)But I certiantly don’t fear it or consider it a loss of womanhood or any of that crapola I remember women going through when I was younger. Bring it on! we can take it!
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirations’s last blog post..Bird Brain Power
@Wendi – I have no clue why menopause was considered a taboo topic. I am reviewing a very good book that helps explains why women dreaded it, but I’ll save that for when I write about that book
I’m with you. If I could turn the tap off now, I would in an instant. I have never associated my period with my womanhood. It’s a biological function, serving the specific purpose of preparing to grow a baby.
“Bring it on! We can take it!” Now that’s the Silver & Grace spirit I like to see around here!
Sounds like a good book – I was interested to see that all natural supplements are not necessarily safe – I had suspected that might be the case, because plant hormones still do stuff.
Frank just asked what I was doing and I told him and he asked why it is called MEN-o-pause. I told him it was because men put their paws all over you – I think he liked that.
Robin’s last blog post..Counterclockwise, by Ellen Langer
Robin – I am also interested in the natural supplements information. As much care and information is required with their use, as with presription drugs. First, they are not regulated. Second, they do interact with each other, and in high doses can be toxic. I think they can be very healthy options, but you need to do your investigation.
As for your response to Frank, it was perfect! Women are age are SEXY!
Yes, I love how all the Dummies books I’ve read are not at all boring.
I’m 45, so on the cusp. I’ll keep this one bookmarked, thanks.
(Came here via Let’s Live Forever!)
Jannie Funster’s last blog post..Another video from my CD release show
Hi Eliza.
Thankfully I’m not experiencing uncomfortable symptoms and hopefully I won’t ever have the need to take any supplements. I’ll be avoiding that at all costs. This book sound great — thanks for the review. I understood that you’re not considered menopausal until a year after the last “cycle”. My doctor told me otherwise a few months back as hormone levels found in blood testing indicated I was menopausal — even though it had only been two months since my last cycle. One month after the testing I had another cycle. I guess some doctors have their own ideas. I still believe that you’re not menopausal until a year after the last cycle.
LOL re Robin’s comment
Davina’s last blog post..On the Edge of Being
I just wanted to respond about supplements as a person dependent on them – I now only get those recommended by the homeopath and the Medical Intuitive – they are made generically for someone who is “average”, but my kidneys form stones so easily from calcium/magnesium vitamins, and glucosame and my liver just does not work without a boost of garlic oil. After eleven years I no longer have saturating sweats all day and night. A complete hysterectomy without hormones is another word for HELL.
Chemo therapy makes menopause often worse too.
Analogue medications usually put me into the hospital with side effects and have nearly killed me several times. It makes me terrified to travel for fear of a car accident etc.
I am highly sensitive on all of my body meridians….
Life has been so much better since I began learning about all these things.
I do have a great many friends who have had no problems with menopause, including my mother -
Patricia’s last blog post..A Birthday Ritual
Patricia – yes, a hysterectomy creates an immediate severe drop in hormones with no ‘lead in time’. As for supplements, etc., I think the trick as you say, is to be clued into your own body. With some trial and error, we each figure out what works best for us.
@Davina – the correct medical definition of menopause is not having a period for a full year. However, the word ‘menopause’ is generically used to cover all 3 stages of perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause. I think supplements can work, depending on the situation and their use. I use flax seed oil daily because it greatly relieves my roscacea symptoms. And I have started taking a multi-vitamen formulated for women and have way more energy than I did before. But, I am not going to start popping this, that and the next thing, just because it is the supplement du jour.
@Jannie – welcome and glad you popped over from Robin’s site. This book gives you a really good overview about what to expect. I found it extremely informative without getting bogged down in details.
Hi Eliza,
Thanks for the great review and insight into the Next Stage. As I was reading your post, I wondered about how women have “periods” and “pauses” — I bet we’d think differently about both if they were renamed!
Lori Hoeck’s last blog post..Three ways a narcissist can take control
@Lori – that’s a very interesting observation. It sounds, in both cases, like our lives are on hold, doesn’t it?